Less than two years in existence, Cresco has already been ranked in Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, Legal 500 and IFLR 1000. These rankings are the most prestigious worldwide legal rankings and are compiled by international research teams on the basis of feedback of the market, clients and peers.

The Cresco team is particularly pleased with the accolades as a continued validation of its mission statement, which is to stand out as a premier law firm for entrepreneurs, companies and investors:

Chambers Europe 2016: “Up-and-coming boutique focusing on assisting start-ups and entrepreneurs, with a notable presence in the technology and life sciences sectors. Clients include venture capital funds and tech start-ups.”

Chambers Global and Europe - “A great team to work with. The Cresco lawyers really are our partners during transactions.” “The "very hard-working" Pieter Capiau’s primary focus is tech start-ups.”

Legal 500 - “Cresco Advocaten, founded in 2014, is valued for providing ‘proactive’ support and ‘great value for money’.” “Focusing on start-up companies, the ‘simply outstanding’ lawyers at Cresco Advocaten ‘have an eye for detail and are exceptionally tenacious’.”

Innovation and efficiency

Legal 500 - “The team includes ‘top-notch people who think outside the box’, among them the ‘extremely dedicated’ David Dessers, the ‘very supportive’ Tessa Gijbels and ‘efficient negotiator’ Pieter Capiau”

Chambers Global and Europe - “The "capable and constructive" David Dessers has a strong focus on M&A and private equity transactions involving the technology and life sciences sectors. Sources enthuse that he is "hands-on, flexible and driven to find practical, workable solutions."

Legal 500 - “(…) a team of ‘extremely dedicated (…) people’.”

IFLR 1000 - “We receive excellent personal attention from the partners and senior associates,” says a client. “We get immediate responses to questions and proactive steps are taken on our behalf with our board members and investors.”

They also serve as testimony to the long-term relationships we build with our clients as trusted counsel throughout the life cycle of their business.

The full 2016 reviews are reproduced below:

Chambers Global and Europe reviews – Corporate and M&A - 2016 Edition

“What the team is known for Up-and-coming boutique focusing on assisting start-ups and entrepreneurs, with a notable presence in the technology and life sciences sectors. Clients include venture capital funds and tech start-ups.

Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)

"A great team to work with. The Cresco lawyers really are our partners during transactions; they give great directions and are very responsive."

"The team offers excellent service. It is deal-oriented and keeps the bigger picture in mind."

Work highlights Assisted Clear2Pay and its shareholders with its EUR375 million sale to FIS.

Acted for GIMV on its acquisition and investment in Ecochem.

Notable practitioners

The "capable and constructive" David Dessers has a strong focus on M&A and private equity transactions involving the technology and life sciences sectors. Sources enthuse that he is "hands-on, flexible and driven to find practical, workable solutions." He recently advised SmartFin Capital on various acquisitions of stakes in portfolio companies, with a total value of EUR75 million.

The "very hard-working" Pieter Capiau’s primary focus is tech start-ups. He recently acted on PMV's EUR7.5 million participation in Borit.

"Boutique firm Cresco has had a strong year. “I've tried enough law firms in Belgium to know they are by far the best legal team a venture capital fund can think of,” says one client.

The team welcomed a new partner this year with the arrival of Pieter Capiau. He now joins existing partners David Dessers and Filip De Schouwer in running the firm. Tessa Gijbels also joined the team in May 2014 as a partner.

One example of its recent capital markets work saw it advising Amplidata on the issuance of a $10 million convertible bond secured by the pledging of IP assets.

On the M&A side, where the firm is undoubtedly strongest, the firm had a busy year. Dessers led as the team advised Clear2Pay and its shareholders in the €375 million acquisition by FIS Global, an international deal crossing continents.

Dessers also took the lead in assisting Amplidata and its shareholders on the sale of the company to Western Digital and as the team acted as key counsel to Gimv in its acquisition of Ecochem.

Legal 500 review – Five Practice areas - 2016 Edition

“Banking, Finance and Capital Markets

Cresco Advocaten fields a team of ‘extremely dedicated, top-notch people’. The firm handles lending and borrowing transactions as well as banking and finance regulatory matters. Recently the group has been particularly busy with equity capital markets and equity finance work, especially fundraising for venture capital funds and venture equity financing for emerging and growth companies. Investment company Gimv and venture capital fund Hummingbird Ventures are key clients. Pieter Capiau, Filip De Schouwer and David Dessers are recommended.

Commercial, Corporate and M&A

Cresco Advocaten is widely regarded as ‘a top firm for entrepreneurs, start-up companies and investors’. The firm acted as key counsel to catering group Autogrill, assisting with corporate restructuring and litigation, and gained more than 80 new clients. The team includes ‘top-notch people who think outside the box’, among them the ‘extremely dedicated’ David Dessers, the ‘very supportive’ Tessa Gijbels and ‘efficient negotiator’ Pieter Capiau.

Industry Focus: IT and Telecom

Focusing on start-up companies, the ‘simply outstanding’ lawyers at Cresco Advocaten ‘have an eye for detail and are exceptionally tenacious’. The firm recently handled all technology agreements of Twikit. David Dessers and Pieter Capiau ‘have expert knowledge of ICT and digital technologies’.

Real Estate and Construction

Cresco Advocaten has specialisms in green energy projects and the hotel and food sectors, where Steigenberger and Autogrill are among its key clients. Publishing house WPG Uitgevers België was assisted with its participation in the creation of an entertainment park in Antwerp Central Station. Filip De Schouwer has strong negotiation skills and Tessa Gijbels has ‘a proactive attitude’.

Dispute Resolution

Natalie Lemense’s team at Cresco Advocaten ‘gets out-of-court settlements where possible, but also vigorously defends a company’s interests in litigation proceedings’. It represents Belgian and international companies across many sectors, with particular strengths in real estate and technology.”